Event Coverage
11th Annual Benefit for HIF Held October 24
Approximately 200 people, many of whom were dressed in colorful costumes, trekked to the Historic Del Monte Building in Sunnyvale on Friday, October 24, in support of SILVAR's largest charitable event of the year - the 11th Annual Home for the Holidays Fundraiser, a SILVAR Halloween party benefiting the Housing Industry Foundation.
The night sparkled with festive decorations, colorful costumes and live music by the The Hit Men. Charlie Krackeler served as Master of Ceremonies and auctioneer.
There was much to celebrate as many people, in the true spirit of giving, participated in the live and silent auctions. The winner of the big raffle item – a $2,500 trip for two to Mexico was Nina Yamaguchi (Coldwell Banker). The winner of the costume contest was Suzanne Wehde (Coldwell Banker), who came dressed as a retired REALTOR®, complete with a shopping cart and all her belongings.
Funds SILVAR REALTORS®, and affiliates raise during Home for the Holidays go directly to the Housing Industry Foundation (HIF), a non-profit charity which helps individuals and families in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties either remain in, or return to stable housing. Emergency Housing Grants, which are at the core of HIF's homeless prevention program, assist individuals or families with rent, mortgage, utilities, security deposits and certain repairs on a one-time emergency basis.
"It's always a great party and people seemed to have a good time. There are always people in need every year, but things have been especially tight this year because of the economic situation," Debbie Wade, HIF executive director remarked. "We're very grateful to have SILVAR as a close partner."
Wade said funds raised by SILVAR in the charitable event make up 20 percent of HIF's budget.
Thank you to the following who stepped up to sponsor the event:
Platinum - $2,000
Alain Pinel Realtors - Los Gatos, Almaden, Saratoga, Palo Alto offices
Avery Construction Company
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate – Silicon Valley Region
Property ID- Natural Hazard Disclosure Co.
Gold Circle - $1,000
Apartment Guide
Craig & Wayne Cymrot/Morgan Stanley
Sereno Group
Silver Circle - $500
Dave Clark, Coldwell Banker
Coldwell Banker, Cupertino-De Anza
Coldwell Banker, Los Altos- First Street
First American Exchange
Keller Williams, Palo Alto
Carolyn Miller & Niki Maroko, Re/Max Properties
Moise Nahouraii, Referral Realty
Jennifer Vail, W.A. Krauss & Co.
Web Services Company
Bronze Circle - $250
Myrt Bauer, Windermere Silicon Valley
Paul Cardus, SILVAR
Nancy Domich, Old Republic Title
Alan Engel, S101 Management Co.
Bonnie M. Kehl, Cashin Company
Bobbie Lemberg, Coldwell Banker
Roberta Murai, Coldwell Banker
Jo Ann Ong, The Staging Crew
Diana Parham, Intero Real Estate
Tod Spieker, Spieker Companies Inc.
Brian Thornton, First Security Financial Group
John Tripp, Foundation Trust
In-Kind Sponsors:
Mickey Shaevitz, Coldwell Banker
Chris Leo, Leo Graphics
Debbie Lyn Costumes
Cupertino/Sunnyvale District Members
Los Gatos/Saratoga District Members
The Hit Men
HIF Board of Directors
Debbie Wade, HIF
Many thanks to all the auction donors, and a special thanks to members of the planning committee for time spent and their hard work in making the event a success. Members of this year's HIF Committee are Dale Anne Collings, Committee Chair (Coldwell Banker), Robert Reid (Keller Williams), Nancy Domich (Old Republic), Brian Gaskill ( Fidelity National Title), Jackie Jackson (Coldwell Banker) Mary Kay Kennedy ( First American Exchange), Kay Maurer (Wachovia), Diana Parham (Intero Real Estate), Diane Renna (Old Republic Title), Bryan Robertson (Coldwell Banker), Mickey Shaevitz (Coldwell Banker), Debbie Wade (HIF) Joanne Grimaldi (HIF) and SILVAR Development Director Kelly Dadsetan.
Photo Gallery
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.